Next Conroe Symphony concert highlights local youth

Peggie MillerPerforming arts columnist

Published
6:00 pm CST, Saturday, January 16, 2010

In baseball, it might be called a double play, but in the world of classical music, the CONROE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S emphasis on youth at its Feb. 8 performance could accurately be described as inspiration times two (or maybe more).

In addition to revealing the winners of a student writing contest, along with a magnificent evening of music, the concert features GIDEON SCHLICHTER, a 10-year-old pianist from Montgomery. He has been termed “a child prodigy with a gift from God.” After intermission Gideon will play “Haydn’s Piano Concerto.”

The writing contest, “Why I Want to Be a Conductor,” is limited to fifth and sixth grade students enrolled in band, orchestra or choir in any Montgomery County school, as well as home-schooled children in those grades.

According to DR. ALINE ARNOLD, CSO executive director, “This has been a popular contest during the past two years, so we decided to make it an annual tradition. Music teachers report that they use this contest to incorporate a writing assignment into their music classes.”

The CSO education committee will select up to five finalists to be introduced at the Feb. 8 concert in THE ARK CHURCH, 450 Humble Tank Road in Conroe.

In addition to recognition and honor, contest winner receives a pretty hefty prize of $100, with second place getting $50. Parents receive complimentary tickets to see their child honored.

Deadline for entering the contest is Jan. 25, and some rules apply.

The essay must be one page double spaced and typed. Teachers must mail or take entries to Conroe Symphony Centre, 202 North Main, Conroe, 77301 with a Jan. 25 deadline. Each teacher should include his/her name, return address and phone number. Questions may be answered at (936) 760-2144.

The Feb. 8 concert holds a special appeal for those who particularly enjoy “Sounds of Stage & Screen,” its title.

Known for beginning every concert on a patriotic level with the national anthem, Conductor/director DR. DON HUTSON will follow that with Verdi’s “Overture to La Forza del Destino.”

Rossini’s “Overture to “The Barber of Seville” follows, then a selection from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera.”

After the featured Gideon Schlichter’s performance following intermission, the all volunteer orchestra continues with “Pirates of the Caribbean,” The “Flying Theme from ET,” and “The Empire Strikes Back.”

Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with tickets costing $15 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under. Group rates also are offered. Purchase tickets at the door prior to the concert, or call the above number to reserve.

The young musician, who is home-schooled, began playing piano at age 5 and now has reached a college level.

His mother said the family is not considered “musical,” but noted that as a very young child, Gideon preferred music stores over toy stores, and his parents purchased a toy piano for him. After hearing a hymn at church he went home and played it, then without instruction taught himself at age 6 to play “Fur Elise” in fewer than two weeks, and began church performances.

While Gideon played at a hospital when he was 7, a listener suggested an evaluation from Rice University Shepherd School of Music director, who pronounced that Gideon was born with “perfect pitch.”

At age 8 he began studying with college level teacher DIANE DELK. Gideon has never failed to win a trophy at the advanced competitions in which Ms. Delk enters him.

He frequently performs at hospitals, nursing homes and is a regular at CARRIAGE INN in Conroe.